Gen 5 Article Claims/Suggestions

NU Co-Leader

Since we're done collecting data for speed tiers and it only needs to be formatted, and maybe having a few sets added I was wondering if I could take over the NU Threatlist, it went inactive after it started and I would like to revive it. If I need to wait until the speed tiers are absolutely finished I'll wait though

Wi-Fi Commissioner

Since we're done collecting data for speed tiers and it only needs to be formatted, and maybe having a few sets added I was wondering if I could take over the NU Threatlist, it went inactive after it started and I would like to revive it. If I need to wait until the speed tiers are absolutely finished I'll wait though

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well we still need speed tiers for three other tiers, but you can take over the threatlist, feel free to make a new thread and use some of the entries in the previous one if you want to.

no, the articles here are for recognized metagames with their own set of analyses and forums.

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Do you think I am referring to the tier Clear Skies? I was asking to write an article on the playstyle of clear skies in the BW OU metagame (a BW OU team without a weather inducer). I don't quite get what you are saying.

Wi-Fi Commissioner

Do you think I am referring to the tier Clear Skies? I was asking to write an article on the playstyle of clear skies in the BW OU metagame (a BW OU team without a weather inducer). I don't quite get what you are saying.

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Yes I was referring to the clear skies tier, anyway I'm rejecting your idea (now that you've made it clear) it just sounds like too general a concept.

Can I write a guide to BW UU Offense? I know my post count isn't very high, but I have been playing UU since the beginning of Gen V and am very knowledgeable about the metagame. I just recently noticed that the only article on UU was about rain, which is next to nonexistent in the tier, whereas offense is the most common playstyle. I will definitely get as much help as possible when writing this article, it will be a huge commitment. Reachzero has already said that he would help me write it, and I am trying to get support from a lot of other top UU players as well. Thanks in advance!

Wi-Fi Commissioner

Can I write a guide to BW UU Offense? I know my post count isn't very high, but I have been playing UU since the beginning of Gen V and am very knowledgeable about the metagame. I just recently noticed that the only article on UU was about rain, which is next to nonexistent in the tier, whereas offense is the most common playstyle. I will definitely get as much help as possible when writing this article, it will be a huge commitment. Reachzero has already said that he would help me write it, and I am trying to get support from a lot of other top UU players as well. Thanks in advance!

Seeing as Smogon seems to adopt the "learn to swim by jumping into a lake" approach to learning how to be a competent competitive battler, I think it should be clear to some that not everyone is on that level, nor is that approach the best path to learning for some people.

I've been kicking around the idea of an expanded glossary article in which common terminology is defined as well as a few examples. While a lot of it may seem like common knowledge, there is much to be said for the aphorism of "common sense isn't." Here would be one sample entry:

Lure (n) - A strategy of tempting an opponent into switching in a certain Pokemon or using a certain move. (v) - The act of employing such a strategy.

Example Lures and Strategies

(sample Zoroark set)

Zoroark is in some respects the ultimate lure, as it can pose as another Pokemon entirely and get a surprise kill when the opponent reacts as they would to the Pokemon whose guise it is in. For example, if Zoroark were to pose as Haxorus and the opponent sends in their Ferrothorn in order to take the expected Outrage or Earthquake, Zoroark can instead unleash a Flamethrower, leaving his team's Haxorus with one less obstacle on the path to world domination, or at least winning the match.

(sample Gyarados and Electivire sets)

GyaraVire was a popular "instant offense" option before the advent of team preview. The strategy here is to tempt the opponent into trying to use an Electric move on Gyarados, only to have Electivire take the hit in order to activate Motor Drive and proceed to use its incredible coverage to best advantage. Theoretically, any ability that grants some sort of boost upon being hit with a certain attack type can be used in such a move-luring strategy. On the defensive side, this act of switching into a predicted resisted move is the heart and soul of a stall strategy.

(Placeholder for a lure set)

One can also take into account the popularity of certain sets on a certain Pokemon and design a set to take out what stops the more commonly seen variants. This "lure" set makes the opponent think that the Pokemon you've sent out is running one thing, but when they send in their response they get a nasty surprise when they find out it's something else entirely.